Wildlife photography is often associated with breathtaking landscapes and majestic animals, but every now and then, nature shows its funnier side. For more than a decade, the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards have celebrated those perfectly timed moments that capture animals in hilarious, unexpected situations – all while reminding us why protecting wildlife matters. Founded in 2015 by photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, the competition combines laughter with a mission to raise awareness about conservation.
As we wait for the 2026 finalists to be announced, there's no better time to look back at some of the funniest and most unforgettable finalist photos from the past ten years. Scroll down to enjoy this collection of wildlife's greatest comedy moments, and don't forget to tell us which one made you laugh the hardest!
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#1 Harbor Seal Captured By Julie Hunt
© Photo: comedywildlifephoto
#2 Excuse Me Sir, But I Think You're A Little Too Young To Be Smoking By Dakota Vaccaro
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#3 Time For School By Chee Kee Teo
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#4 Laid Back By Tom Mangelsen
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#5 The Laughing Dormouse By Andrea Zampatti
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#6 Snowball By Jacques Poulard
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#7 Fake News By Matti Rauvala
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#8 Hello! By Philip Marazzi
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#9 African Pied Starling Captured By Andrew Mayes
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#10 Laughing Snake By Aditya Kshirsagar
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#11 Otter Ballerina By Otter Kwek
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#12 Pegasus, The Flying Horse By Jagdeep Rajput
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#13 Talk To The Fin! By Jennifer Hadley
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#14 Social Distance, Please! By Petr Sochman
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#15 Chest Bump By Tom Mangelsen
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#16 Eh What's Up Doc? By Olivier Colle
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#17 Must Have Three-Putted By Douglas Croft
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#18 Hitching A Ride By Daisy Gilardini
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#19 4 Owls By Tibor Kercz
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#20 The Rainforest Dandy By Delphine Casimir
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#21 Frog In A Balloon By Eberhard Ehmke
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#22 Fox Chase By Angela Bohlke
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#23 Rush Hour By Julian Rad
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#24 Foot Jam By Brook Burling
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#25 Surprise Smiles By Asaf Sereth
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#26 Boing! By Lara Mathews
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#27 How Do You Get That Damn Window Open? By Nicolas De Vaulx
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#28 Sun Salutation Class By Sue Hollis
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#29 Tough Negotiations By Ayala Fishaimer
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#30 Smiley By Arthur Telle Thiemenn
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#31 Terry The Turtle Flipping The Bird By Mark Fitzpatrick
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#32 Dancing...yeah! By Martina Gebert
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#33 All Dressed And Ready For Church By Carl Henry
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#34 Angel Bear By Adam Parsons
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#35 Head Shot Captured By Tom Stables
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#36 Last Tango By Tony Dilger
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#37 Verreaux's Sifaka Captured By Alison Buttigieg
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#38 Anyone Asks ... You Haven't Seen Me By William Richardson
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#39 Coquerel's Sifaka Captured By Jakob Strecker
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#40 Hello Everyone By Miroslav Srb
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#41 Treehugger By Jakub Hodan
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#42 Let's Dance By Andy Parkinson
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#43 I Had To Stay Late At Work By Luis Burgueño
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#44 Who Would Like A Peanut? By Corey Seeman
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#45 Oh My! By Harry Walker
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#46 Wildlife Photograbear By Roie Galitz
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#47 Red Squirrel Captured By Julian Rad
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#48 Cape Ground Squirrel Captured By Yuzuru Masuda
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#49 I'm An Auto Mechanic By Kay Kussmaul
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#50 I'm Gonna Strangle You! By Emmanuel Do Linh San
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#51 Monkey Wellness Centre By Federica Vinci
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#52 Say Cheeeese By Arturo Telle Thiemann
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#53 Rhinopeacock By Kallol Mukherjee
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#54 So There By Barney Koszalka
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#55 Wtf By George Cathcart
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#56 Mantis Flamenca By Jose Miguel Gallego Molina
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#57 White-Tailed Eagle Captured By Przemyslaw Jakubczyk
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#58 Say Cheese! By Thomas Bullivant
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#59 Northern Gannet Captured By Charlie Davidson
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#60 Scream By Sergey Savvi
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#61 Fluff By Edwin Smits
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#62 Stand-Up Comedy By Toni Elliot
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#63 Missed By Lea Scaddan
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#64 See Who Jumps High By Chu Han Lin
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#65 Ninja Prairie Dog By Arthur Trevino
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#66 Almost Time To Get Up By Charlie Davidson
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#67 Drive Safe By Jonathan Irish
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#68 Caught In The Act By Mary Mcgowan
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#69 Monkey-Escape By Katy Laveck-Foster
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#70 Animal Encounters By Jean Jacques Alcalay
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#71 Hello World! By Alex Pansier
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#72 Chimpanzee Contemplation By Arvind Mohandas
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#73 Baby Hippopotamus Captured By Marc Mol
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#74 Lion Takeaway By Willem Kruger
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#75 Selfie By Megan Lorenz
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#76 Keep Calm And Keep Your Head By Martin Grace
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#77 Evolution By Caroline Tout
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#78 Mountain Gorilla Captured By Oliver Dreike
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#79 Martian Tango By Sergey Savvi
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#80 Grizzly Bear Fail By Rob Kroenert
© Photo: comedywildlifephoto
